Invest Northern Ireland Launches New Hall of Fame DVD to Celebrate the Best of Local Entrepreneurship

Nov 16, 2005

Invest Northern Ireland, in association with Ulster Bank, yesterday launched its first ever ‘Hall of Fame’, a DVD profiling some of the most innovative and successful business professionals of recent times, at a gala event at the Transport Museum, Cultra.

Attended by over 200 of Northern Ireland’s top business people the event was designed as a celebration of entrepreneurial achievement during National Enterprise week, 14-20 November.

Speaking at the launch Leslie Morrison, Chief Executive of Invest NI said: “We have a long history of producing individuals who possess real entrepreneurial talent and a strong desire to succeed. This event is a celebration of their success and gives an insight into what it takes to achieve international recognition.”

The first set in a series of video testimonials, the DVD will be distributed directly to schools, colleges, universities and libraries across Northern Ireland. The ‘Hall of Fame’ will also be accessible via the web and the next series of interviews is already under way.

“The ‘Hall of Fame’ DVD will inspire others to build upon and learn from the experiences of those who have created highly successful businesses. By nurturing a culture that supports and celebrates enterprise we are building a stronger and more competitive economy for tomorrow,” continued Mr Morrison.

Keynote speaker Simon Woodroffe, founder of YO! Sushi and panelist on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den programme shared his own unconventional business experiences at the event. He was joined by joint MCs Declan Curry from the BBC’s Business Breakfast programme and local broadcaster Wendy Austin.

“The need to present business and entrepreneurialism positively is more pressing than ever.

“The private sector will increasingly be driving the Northern Ireland economy in the next few years but this will require a steady supply of innovative, competitive and enthusiastic wealth creators. The inspiration needed to prompt this supply shines through in the DVD,” he continued.